FERGUSONÌý— A Ferguson officer who suffered a severe brain injury while making an arrest last year has begun writing short messages and doing rehabilitative exercises, his family says.Ìý
Officer Travis Brown remains focused on making a full recoveryÌýin rehab in Nebraska, hisÌýfamily said Sunday during a communal prayer outside the Ferguson Police Department.Ìý
"He wrote the other day that 'I will walk again and I will run again,'" said Brown's father, Clyde Bailey, a retired ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ police sergeant. "He is determined."
Evelyn Moore, sister of injured Ferguson police Officer Travis “T.J.†Brown, addresses the crowd about her brother during a prayer, reflection and healing ceremony dedicated to her brother that was hosted by the Ferguson police department on the steps of the police station in Ferguson on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
About 100 city officials, police officers and firefighters, faith leaders and residents gathered outside the police station to support Brown and his family.
"Continue to keep him in your prayers and continue to lift up this family," Mayor Ella Jones said. "They need our prayers everyday."Ìý
People are also reading…
The event came about one year after Brown was knocked down whileÌýtrying to arrest a man running from policeÌýduring a protest on the 10th anniversary of the police killing of Michael Brown.
The gathering of about 40 people became turbulent at about 11 p.m., when police said they went out to arrest a few people who they said had damaged the department’s gate. Police said that when Brown went to arrest 28-year-old Elijah Gantt, the man ran away. Brown came around a white car, and seconds later, Gantt ran into Brown, knocking the officer to the ground and falling on top of him.
WARNING: portions of this video contain graphic images and language. This footage is from Ferguson Police Officer Travis Brown's body worn camera.
Gantt was indicted by a grand jury and charged with first-degree assault, six counts of fourth-degree assault on a special victim, resisting arrest, property damage, rioting, attempting to tamper with physical evidence and escape or attempted escape.ÌýHe remains in custody on a $500,000 cash-only bond.ÌýA jury trial is scheduled for June 1, 2026.
Brown's sister, Evelyn Moore, said Sunday that their mother has been by Brown's side throughout his recovery and that her brother is showing signs of progress.
"TJ will recover," Bailey said. "He still laughs at my jokes, so I know that he is there and he just needs to finish his journey, which is on God's time. We are so grateful for all of you and God in our brother's life."
Evelyn Moore, sister of injured Ferguson police Officer Travis “T.J.†Brown, addresses the crowd about her brother during a prayer, reflection and healing ceremony dedicated to her brother that was hosted by the Ferguson police department on the steps of the police station in Ferguson on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
On Saturday, dozens of people gathered to mark the 11th anniversary of the police shooting of Michael Brown in 2014, which prompted widespread protests against racial injustice and led to several criminal justice reforms.Ìý
In 2015, an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department found no grounds to prosecute the Ferguson officer who fatally shot Brown, but the federal agency issued a scathing report of the police department and how it treated Black residents. In 2016, the city agreed to a federal consent decree requiring sweeping changes, including new trainings, requiring body-worn cameras, and rewriting court policies and municipal ordinances.Ìý
The Ferguson Police Department in March of this year announced a new community policing plan including a deescalation program for neighborhood conflicts, a youth advisory panel and sergeants tracking how much community engagement officers have each month.
On Sunday, local faith leaders praying for Brown also called for "healing" for the City of Ferguson.
"We pray for a city that became famous around the world for brokenness," Pastor Jonathan Tremaine Thomas said. "We just say today, let Ferguson become known for healing, for wholeness."Ìý
People gather outside the Ferguson police department for a prayer, reflection and healing ceremony dedicated to Ferguson police Officer Travis “T.J.†Brown on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Officer Brown sustained a traumatic brain injury a year ago when a protester who police were trying to arrest ran into Brown, knocking the officer backward and causing his head to hit the ground.
Hundreds of police officers from around ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ escorted injured Ferguson police officer Travis "TJ" Brown to Spirit of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Airport in Chesterfield where he was flown to a rehabilitation center in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Brown was injured during a protest on the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown's death. Video by Zachary Linhares, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Post-Dispatch
Photos: Ferguson holds prayer, reflection, and healing ceremony dedicated to officer Travis 'T.J.' Brown
April Peterson, center, from Bridgeton, prays during a prayer, reflection and healing ceremony dedicated to Ferguson police Officer Travis “T.J.†Brown outside the police station in Ferguson on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Brown sustained a traumatic brain injury a year ago when a protester who police were trying to arrest ran into Brown, knocking the officer backward and causing his head to hit the ground. Peterson says she came to the ceremony because she knew Brown through her church.Ìý
Evelyn Moore, sister of injured Ferguson police Officer Travis “T.J.†Brown, addresses the crowd about her brother during a prayer, reflection and healing ceremony dedicated to her brother that was hosted by the Ferguson police department on the steps of the police station in Ferguson on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
Members of the Ferguson police department gathered outside the police station for a prayer, reflection and healing ceremony dedicated to Officer Travis Brown on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Brown sustained a traumatic brain injury a year ago when a protester who police were trying to arrest ran into Brown, knocking the officer backward and causing hisÌýhead to hit the ground.
The family of Officer Travis “T.J.†Brown and members of the Ferguson police department gathered outside the police station for a prayer, reflection, and healing ceremony dedicated to Officer Brown on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Officer Brown sustained a traumatic brain injury a year ago when a protester who police were trying to arrest ran into Brown, knocking the officer backwards and causing his head to hit the ground..
People gather outside the Ferguson police department for a prayer, reflection and healing ceremony dedicated to Ferguson police Officer Travis “T.J.†Brown on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Officer Brown sustained a traumatic brain injury a year ago when a protester who police were trying to arrest ran into Brown, knocking the officer backward and causing his head to hit the ground.
Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle uses a microphone to address the crowd during a prayer, reflection, and healing ceremony dedicated to Officer Travis “T.J.†Brown on the steps of the police station in Ferguson on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Officer Brown sustatined a traumatic brain injury a year ago when a protester who police were trying to arrest ran into Brown, knocking the officer backwards and causing his head to hit the ground.
Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle talks with people after a prayer, reflection, and healing ceremony dedicated to injured Ferguson police officer Travis “T.J.†Brown on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Officer Brown sustained a traumatic brain injury a year ago when a protester who police were trying to arrest ran into Brown, knocking the officer backwards and causing his head to hit the ground.
The gate to the Ferguson Police department was open and no protesters gathered across the street on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, the 11th anniversary of fatal shooting of Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. A year earlier Ferguson police officer Travis “T.J.†Brown sustatined a traumatic brain injury when a protester who police were trying to arrest ran into Brown, knocking the officer backwards and causing his head to hit the ground. The police station was a focal point for protests for years on the anniversary of Michael Brown’s death.
Photos: 11th anniversary of Michael Brown shooting and start of Ferguson protests
About 70 people showed up on Canfield Drive on Aug. 9, 2025, to take part in a ceremony marking the 11th anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.ÌýThe shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country.
Michael Brown Sr., center, prepares to lay down a rose in a memorial on Canfield Drive on Aug. 9, 2025 during a ceremony marking the 11th anniversary of the death of Brown Sr.’s son, Michael Brown who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. The shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country.
Michael Brown Sr. observes a moment of silence on Canfield Drive on Aug. 9, 2025 during a ceremony marking the 11th anniversary of the death of Brown Sr.’s son, Michael Brown who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. The shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country.
Trinetta Brown, left, her daughter BobbiAnn Atkins, 7, and Cal Brown listen to speakers during a ceremony on Canfield Drive on Aug. 9, 2025 marking the 11th anniversary of the death of Michael Brown who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. The shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country. Trinetta is Michael Brown’s sister, and Cal was Michael Brown’s stepmother.
Michael Brown Sr., center with a red hat, and others observe a moment of silence on Canfield Drive on Aug. 9, 2025 during a ceremony marking the 11th anniversary of the death of Brown Sr.’s son, Michael Brown who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. The shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country. A speed bump and traffic island marking the spot of the incident were recently installed on Canfield Drive.
Former congresswoman Cori Bush, center, addresses people on Canfield Drive on Aug. 9, 2025 during a ceremony marking the 11th anniversary of the death of Brown Sr.’s son, Michael Brown who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. The shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country. A speed bump and traffic island marking the spot of the incident were recently installed on Canfield Drive.
Former congresswoman Cori Bush addresses people on Canfield Drive on Aug. 9, 2025 during a ceremony marking the 11th anniversary of the death of Brown Sr.’s son, Michael Brown who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. The shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country. A speed bump and traffic island marking the spot of the incident were recently installed on Canfield Drive.
People defiantly raise their middle fingers to the police during a ceremony on Canfield Drive on Aug. 9, 2025 marking the 11th anniversary of the death of Michael Brown who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.The shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country.
Ferguson Police officer Jamez Knighten high fives Alicia Johnson who is bringing Knighten a free snowcone she mading and selling to people on Canfield Drive on Aug. 9, 2025. Officer Knighten was on the street to divert traffic away from a ceremony further down Canfield Drive that was marking the 11th anniversary of the death of Michael Brown who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in 2014. The shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country.
Flowers are piled on Michael Brown’s grave in Saint Peter's Cemetery in Normandy on Aug. 9, 2025, the 11th anniversary of the death of Brown who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. The shooting sparked intense protests in the community, helped give rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted changes in policing around the country.
